1. A belief or system of beliefs that are accepted as authoritative by some group or school of thought: Abolitionism was one of the driving elements behind the Civil War in the United States.
2. A social movement aimed at liquidating or getting rid of some law or an undesirable practice: Women led the abolitionism against the production of liquor and the operation of taverns and bars.

Abolitionisms, such as indentured workers or slave-working conditions, are often opposed with vigor.